Jobs › Centene

This position has closed. Centene removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Strategy & Planning Manager (CA Market)

Centene · CA · Remote available · $87,700–$157,800 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you turned a vague executive request into a clear plan with owners and dates.

What they are checking: Whether they can bring structure to ambiguous direction quickly.

Tell me about a time you resolved an issue that crossed several departments.

What they are checking: Whether they can bring people together and get decisions made without formal authority.

How do you handle confidential information that comes across your desk in this role?

What they are checking: Whether they show discretion and good judgment when working closely with senior leaders.

What would you do

You will support the Population Health and Clinical Operations Executive in California. How would you learn their priorities in your first month?

What they are checking: Whether they listen and learn before trying to organize an executive's agenda.

An action item owned by a senior leader keeps slipping. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold senior people accountable tactfully without overstepping their role.

How do you decide what needs the executive's attention and what you can handle yourself?

What they are checking: Whether they protect the executive's time while knowing when to escalate.

About the work

How do you track a portfolio of action plans owned by many different leaders?

What they are checking: Whether they have a reliable system that shows status, risks and owners at a glance.

What do you know about Medi-Cal and population health programs in California?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the market context, such as CalAIM, that shapes this executive's priorities.

How do you prepare an executive for a high-stakes meeting?

What they are checking: Whether they anticipate questions and give concise, accurate briefing materials.

How do you report progress against a plan in a way leaders actually read?

What they are checking: Whether they focus on what changed, what is at risk and what decisions are needed.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Centene from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Centene.

Position Purpose: The Strategy & Planning Manager – California Market serves as staff support primarily for the Population Health and Clinical Operations Executive of the California market. This position plays a key role by providing strategic, operational and administrative support to enable a productive and effective work environment. Act as a key resource for information gathering and initiation of action plans on a wide range of topics, issues and projects impacting the operations and strategic initiatives for PHCO in the California market. Works in close collaboration with other senior leadership to achieve results and complete deliverables. Key Details: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Sponsorship and future sponsorship are not available for this opportunity, including employment-based visa types H-1B, L-1, O-1, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, or CPT. Candidates who reside in the state of California preferred. • With Executive Leadership, identifies departmental and cross-functional opportunities and objectives and assures they are assigned to responsible parties and an action plan is developed. Oversees the monitoring of this portfolio of action plans. Coordinates with business leads for assigned action items. Reports progress against the plan and helps identify, monitor and resolve issues/risks. • Helps develop and coordinate Executive communications and change management activities. Collaborates with communication and change management teams. Develops presentations and ensures alignment of key messages across audiences. • Prepares for and organizes the Executive staff meetings (and any other meetings requested) and creates and utilizes systems to monitor, track and report on action items and other follow-ups from meetings. • Manages and maintains agendas, minutes, calendar, materials, etc. for staff meetings and other requested meetings; works with key areas of the company (e.g., lines of business and functional support areas) to deliver monthly/quarterly (or on an as needed basis) management, risk and mitigation updates to the California health plan leadership in the staff meetings. • Confers and coordinates with other Strategy, Planning and Business Development team members to ensure that projects and initiatives are routinely and appropriately updated at the staff meetings. • Attends line of business, functional/shared services, PMR and other enterprise meetings, as necessary, as the Executive representative; helps identify impacts, risks and interdependencies and supports development and monitoring of appropriate actions and integration activities to address them. • Oversees the development of the Executive external meeting schedule to screen requests, develop agendas, ensure appropriate attendees and gather, prepare and vet presentation materials. Accompanies the CEO to key meetings to provide support and assure execution and coordination of follow-up activities. • Manages other special Executive projects or committees as assigned by the Strategy, Planning and Business Development leadership. May support the Strategy, Planning and Business Development team in preparing for and conducting strategic planning activities, meetings, information and presentations. • Serves as a liaison between Executive Leadership and teams and, as needed, appropriately represents the Executive plans and actions. Education / Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field. MBA or MHA strongly preferred. 3+ years of health care market industry financial analysis, business planning or business experience. Proven experience in the delivery of complex, cross-functional business/capability development or change initiatives. 4+ years of conducting/managing business planning, project management, and/or operations & financial analysis. Experience in managed care preferred Pay Range: $87,700.00 - $157,800.00 per year At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday. Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law , including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility. Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act